Eta Aquariids meteor shower: See the peak in April
April has been the month for meteor showers to light up the sky and among the upcoming meteor showers is the Eta Aquariids, an annual event renowned for its swift meteors.
In Arizona, observers can catch glimpses of this cosmic spectacle from various locations across the state. While not as prominent as in the Southern Hemisphere or equatorial regions, Arizona still offers opportunities to witness the Eta Aquariids. The shower’s radiant point in the constellation Aquarius is visible from the Northern Hemisphere, making it accessible to Arizona skywatchers.
The Eta Aquariids hold significance not only for their mesmerizing display of shooting stars but also for their association with Halley’s Comet, whose debris gives rise to this meteor shower.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Eta Aquariids meteor shower.
What is the Eta Aquariids meteor shower?
The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is an annual meteor shower that occurs when the Earth passes through the debris trail left by Halley’s Comet.
The shower typically takes place from late April to mid-May and is known for producing swift, bright meteors, with speeds reaching up to 66 kilometers per second, about 147,600 miles per hour. The radiant point of the Eta
Aquariids is in the constellation Aquarius, near the star Eta Aquarii, hence the name of the shower.
Theodore Kareta, a postdoctoral researcher at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, said, “The Eta Aquariids are one of the meteor showers which derive from Halley’s Comet.
“This isn’t the only meteor shower associated with Halley’s Comet. The other is the Orionids, which peak in October and have typical hourly meteor rates of 20 or so. The same reason that Halley is so often a visually brilliant comet is the same reason we get two meteor showers from it. It just gets so close to the Earth,” said Kareta.
When is the Eta Aquariids shower?
According to the American Meteor Society, the Eta Aquariids starts at the same time as the Lyrids meteor shower on April 15 and will last till May 27. The peak will be on May 4-5.
Where can you see the Eta aquarid meteor shower?
In Arizona, observers can catch glimpses of the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, although the viewing experience
will not be as dramatic as in the Southern Hemisphere or equatorial regions.
“This is more of a morning meteor shower. Early on the morning of May Fifth, you could get up and look east or southeast,” said Kareta.
What is the best time to see Eta Aquarids meteor shower?
The optimal viewing window is usually in the early morning hours after midnight when the radiant point of the shower, near the constellation Aquarius, is higher in the sky. This allows for a better chance of spotting meteors as they streak across the sky.
“Getting up at 4 a.m. and sitting on your back porch is good enough if you live outside of downtown,” said Kareta. “The Eta Aquarids are pretty similar from year to year, under ideal conditions, you might see 50-60 meteors per hour. Some other meteor showers vary lots but the Eta Aquariids are a reliable good show.”
Can you still see Halley’s Comet?
Halley’s Comet’s last appearance in the inner solar system was in 1986 and it won’t return until 2061, according to Space.com.